CATRIONA MATTHEW is the veteran of the Solheim Cup which starts at St Leon-Rot in Germany tomorrow. Making her eighth appearance – a record for a Scot – she has even been affectionately dubbed ‘Granny’ by Carin Koch, the team captain.

The 46-year-old from North Berwick has appeared in three winning teams, in Sweden in 2003, Ireland in 2013 and in the historic first victory on US soil in Colorado two years ago.

The winner of the Ricoh Women’s British Open in 2009, Matthew rates the Solheim Cup as among her career highlights. “I love playing in a team and it seems to get more special every time,” she said.

This year, she had to rely on a captain’s pick by Koch. But she is a key member of Team Europe, and surely it won’t be long before she is a captain herself. Maybe at Gleneagles in 2019 if the Perthshire venue wins the bid?

Heavy rain has afflicted the start of Solheim week in Germany, but Matthew was in positive mood yesterday. “I like the golf course and it's in great shape,” she said.

“The greens are really good. A few of the fairways are beginning to get a little bit wet. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate a little bit tomorrow. The fairways are fairly generous, but if you do go in the rough, you know it could take you a while to find it.

“This week is always a lot of fun and so far it’s been great. When I first played I didn’t really know what to expect. But once you get a taste for it you always want to get back on the team.”

For the first time, there isn’t on rookie on the European team – Alison Lee is the only US newcomer – but Matthew is delighted that so many youngsters, such as England’s 19-year-old Charley Hull, are now flooding the team sheet.

“From a young age, the new generation are all such accomplished players,” she continued. “They've played all over the world and played in all the big tournaments. The players coming up are far more ready to come out on Tour and win.”

Matthew’s experience is greatly valued by her colleagues. “Catriona is a great person to have around,” said Koch, who played alongside the Scot in 2003 and 2005. “People really look up to her.”

Spanish player Azahara Munoz, echoed the sentiments. “Catriona is so calm. In my rookie year [2013] I got to play both foursomes with her, and I was the one hitting the first shot.

“I was shaking, I could barely tee it up. But just being paired with Catriona and with her husband [Graeme, her caddie] there, too, it really helped. I was really nervous on the first one and they gave me a talk on the fairway. It just really helps to have someone that you look up to. I knew if I messed up that she wasn’t going to say anything. She’s won a major and played in eight Solheims. She’s super experienced."

Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall, who had a 100% winning record on her debut two years ago, added: “Catriona is a kind of silent leader, I would say, she's been on the team so many times and she's always there if we have questions and stuff.”

The big question is – can Europe make it three wins in a row? This is the 14th Solheim and when the USA moved into an 8-3 lead after a home win in 2009, interest began to wane.

But a dramatic victory at Killeen Castle in 2013 followed by the record 18-10 thumping in Colorado has reinvigorated the match. It’s now 8-5 – and home advantage could again work in Europe’s favour.